Guiding Questions 'The Tattooist of Auschwitz

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 6

'Guiding Questions'

CHAPTER 1

'Guiding Questions'

1. What is the meaning of the expression ‘Always dress to impress’? Why could it be significant to a Jew in a cattle wagon on his way to a concentration camp?

'Guiding Questions'

1. Be prepared for unexpected situations by always looking your best to give a first good impression. Because of his clothes, Lale is considered upper class by the other men in the wagon and although some mutter negative comments, they listen to him and when he tells them to stop trying to break down the wall because if it would break, the cows would have succeeded in doing so a long time ago, they know he is intelligent too. Could he have the same effect on the Germans?

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2. How does Lale behave towards the other men in the wagon? What does that tell the reader about his character?

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2. Lale tries to keep them calm. He stays optimistic and tries to give them hope instead of fear. He also tries to distance himself from the fight(s) and tries to get glimpses of the flowers outside to escape reality. As a reader, you know that he is confident and that he has a positive outlook on life. 

'Guiding Questions'

3. What is the reader told about the conditions in the wagon? How does that make you feel?

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3. The conditions in the wagon are awful. Too many people, buckets with excrements tip over, people fighting, people being scared. Panic. 

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4. Why is Lale on the train? 

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4. Each Jewish family had to hand over a child aged 18 or older to work for the Germans. Lale’s older brother is married with kids, so Lale feels it is his duty and responsibility to go. 

'Guiding Questions'

5. On p.10, Lale is given an order “Just do as you’re told, you’ll be fine”. He repeats it to himself, but adds ‘And always observe’. Why do you think that is important? What does that tell the reader about Lale?

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5. Lale is intelligent. He knows he will benefit from knowledge gained by observations. It will even save his life later on.

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6. Describe Lale’s feeling when his numbered is tattooed.

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6. Lale cannot understand ‘How can anyone do this to another human being?’ He stares in disbelief as the numbers are tattooed onto his arm. 

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7. Lale ends up with Aron, who he met on the train, in the same block. He is kind to him, tries to reassure him. This is an example of foreshadowing. Can you think of a possible outcome?

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7. (Students need to find out for themselves what Aron’s significance is) 

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8. Then men in Block 7 crack jokes about their situation. What does that tell you as a reader?

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8. One way to survive is to stay positive. Being able to see the humour in even the worst possible situations have saved many people’s lives throughout history.

'Guiding Questions'

9. What is Lale’s vow to himself? Why does he make it? What does that tell you about his character? 

'Guiding Questions'

9. ‘I will live to leave this place. I will walk out a free man. If there is a hell, I will see these murderers burn in it.’ Lale needs to pee during his first night in the camp. Outside, his instincts tell him to stop and observe before approaching the ‘sanitary facilities’. He sees the ones already on them being brutally killed by the passing guards. His vow tells the reader about his strength. He does not run away in panic. He decides to turn his shock and hatred into strength which can help him survive.

'Guiding Questions'

CHAPTER 2

'Guiding Questions'

10. As a reader, you learn that Lale speaks German, Polish and Russian next to his mother tongue. How can speaking these languages help him in the camp? 

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10. He understands all the orders given and is valuable as a translator to his fellow prisoners. He can understand what prisoners are talking about when they think nobody else can understand them. He can be of value to the Germans too.

'Guiding Questions'

11. On p.25, Lale fully realizes what place he has been taken to. He gives himself 3 pieces of advice. What are they?

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11. Trust no one, reveal little about himself, be cautious.

'Guiding Questions'

12. Why is Lale being friendly to the kapo and trying to impress him?

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12. To stand out and be chosen to do the same job, since he has discovered it would be the best chance of survival.

'Guiding Questions'

13. Which action preceded Lale’s fever and how does his illness end? What does that tell you about Aron? And Lale?

'Guiding Questions'

13. Lale saw a bus being used as gas chamber and the sight was almost impossible for him to comprehend. He was being nursed by the other men while the fever burned and in the end, he escaped the death wagon by an inch because Aron pulled him off (and sacrificed his life for him, which the reader learns on p.35). He felt Lale had to live because he could mean so much to the people. As a reader, you now know that acts of kindness (Lale to Aron) are rewarded.

'Guiding Questions'

14. Who is Pepan and why does he offer Lale a job?

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14. Pepan has seen his strength and knew he must be special when Aron saved him from the death wagon.He says he intrigues him.

'Guiding Questions'

CHAPTER 3

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15. What does Lale’s dream tell the reader?

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15. It gives the reader more info about Lale’s character. Especially about his fascination with women.It also gives the reader a flashback to Lale’s life before the beginning of the novel. He was a gentleman, kind, sympathetic, etc. 

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16. Describe Lale’s first meeting with Gita in your own words. 

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16. Individual answers, but here’s a suggestion: The writer describes the meeting between Lale and Gita as something close to love at first sight for Lale. Looking into her eyes makes him dizzy and it feels as if his heart has stopped beating. As a reader, you know immediately that she is special. His feelings have not been described like this before.  

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17. What does the title ‘Tätowierer’ mean to Lale? 

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17. Lale being the main tattooist means he has protection, because he is valuable to the Nazis. He carries his bag with him all the time, which means the guards leave him alone. He lives on his own in an empty block, which gives him more freedom, but it also means he misses company. He gets more food, which is a privilege and he is able to share it with other prisoners and ‘food is currency. With it, you stay alive.’ However, the new position also gives him double feelings. He feels he cannot be sure if people will befriend him now because they want to be his friend, or because they want to take advantage of his privileged position. Furthermore, he is afraid people will see him as a collaborator, working for and with the Nazis.

'Guiding Questions'

18. Why is Lale so kind to Leon?

'Guiding Questions'

18. Lale likes Leon from the first moment and tries to protect him. He gives him extra food and tells him the job as his assistant might save Leon’s life. He knows it is in his power to save a man from hard labour and death by making him his assistant, just like Pepan did with Lale.

'Guiding Questions'

19. How would you describe Baretski’s behaviour at the end of chapter 3 in one word? Quote from the text to support your claim.

'Guiding Questions'

19. Different answers: Despicable. Disgusting. Revolting. Inhuman. Etc. He takes pleasure in hurting or tormenting people.

Quotes: ‘Baretski sticks his leg out, causing him [Leon] to fall again.”

‘And don’t even think about running away. I’ll hunt you down myself, kill you and enjoy it.’